Today's card is for this week's Teapot Tuesday Challenge. Our recipient is a fellow Teapotter's husband, Terry, who needs a kidney transplant. Our teapot inspiration this week is a western-themed teapot and our challenge was based on Clint Eastwood movies. I didn't have any western-themed stamps, but I had this cute hay bale and funny sentiment that I wanted to use. We also had several techniques we could choose from for this challenge, and each was a twist on one of Clint Eastwood's films. I chose to use a "painted background" technique (Paint Your Wagon). I also decided to add a second option and use five panels layered (High Plains Drifter).
A masculine, cowboy-themed card? This posed a very intriguing challenge that took me far outside of my usual box. My husband came down to my craft cave at one point and said, "What exactly are you trying to do there?" I tossed that card and started another. And another. And another. My recycling pile was getting pretty depressing. But then I remembered a technique I saw Sandy Allnock use on a "Stump Sandy" segment on OWHtv where she distressed a piece of patterned paper to adapt it to her card's colors, so I used this technique to "paint" my background. (The smaller piece of lighter patterned paper is the same patterned paper I used on my larger panel, but I distressed the larger piece with distress inks. Really makes a difference, doesn't it?) Finally, success! But then I needed four more panels and I didn't have any matching patterned paper in my stash. I struggle with using patterned papers anyway, so this was tricky. I used a background stamp on one layer and even used the original patterned paper, unchanged, for another layer. I am telling you, my heart and soul went into this card last night! I finally emerged from my cave around 2:00 a.m. and told my husband that a card had almost killed his wife. Bless his heart, he pretended to understand!
We get extra cookies at the tea party if we forgot about Christmas while making the card, and I can pretty much tell you that I deserve a plateful! The only time I thought about Christmas was when I wondered if this card would ever be finished by then! For all of my struggles with this card, I have to admit it was one of the most fun cards I've ever made because it really required me to try new things. If you could only see the pile of rejected card parts you would know just how many new things I tried! This card is definitely not my usual style but I hope it will give Terry a smile.
Registered: March 24, 2006 Location: Deep in the Heart of TEXAS Posts: 15980
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 @ 4:50 PM
Amy, a great card for the teaparty this week, great five layers and painted background!! Love that great hay bale! You did an awesome job!! Nice commentary too, a lot of times I struggle with a card just as you! When you are finished you are exhausted!! Too much creativity for one day!!
------------------------------ Phyllis Young at heart, slightly older in other parts. We really never grow up, we just learn how to act in public!! What if you woke up today with only what you had thanked God for yesterday??
Registered: December 4, 2009 Location: Southern Utah's Dixie Posts: 20577
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 @ 6:10 PM
Oh you deserve much more than extra cookies!! I love the final outcome and the play on the word! Your bg panels are great!!
I have to say, been there, done that! And haven't we all! So glad you finally made it!
Registered: April 23, 2006 Location: Looking For Teapots! Posts: 59742
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 @ 8:37 PM
Hey Amy.....oh how I loved reading your commentary! Giggle....I can just hear your hubby....Just exactly what are you trying to do there? Giggle.....betcha once he saw this card he thought, that's my girl!!!
Huge success....Huge! I love where your mind took you with this card and I am so happy that Terry will be seeing it up close and personal. It's just fun......and I think doing a teaparty wild wild west style is just your cup of tea......and oh yeah, the extra cookies are flowing....hey, can I sit by you?
Snort! You rocked this challenge! You go girl! I love it, paint your background and five panels layered! Whoot!
Registered: August 18, 2008 Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK Posts: 31972
Thu, Dec 20, 2012 @ 6:06 AM
Awww, Amy, you really put so much thought and care into this and maybe you could write a whole book on new techniques since you tried so many!!! I just love the bg's and the fun sentiment and image - it makes me smile - bet Terry will too!
Registered: December 4, 2008 Location: Burlington, ON Canada Posts: 1578
Thu, Dec 20, 2012 @ 1:28 PM
Amy, I absolutely loved your commentary about this card! Too funny! Sometimes the ideas just do not flow and I feel like I'm trying to do brain surgery (and i'm not a doctor!!) Your outcome is amazing! I love this! You nailed the masculine part, tied the cowboy theme in, added some humour and most importantly, you put your heart into it! This is one special card and yes, distressing is one of my all-time fav techniques to use - I love those magic inks! You nailed the challenge and well in time before Christmas ;)
Registered: April 20, 2005 Location: The only Eaton Rapids on the Earth, Michigan Posts: 57568
Thu, Dec 20, 2012 @ 2:42 PM
Amy, I'm sorry you spent so much of your time coming up with a card for Terry (trust me, I've been there, done that with the rejected attempts and resulting frustration). HOWEVER, your end result is one magnificent masculine card!!! I love the various techniques you tried to create the fabulous various patterned papers (I, too, struggle with coordinating several different papers). Terry will love the play on words with the sentiment, too.
Thank you so much, Amy, for giving so much of your valuable holiday time to create this for my sweetheart. We both appreciate and love it!!!
Registered: March 15, 2012 Location: Alabama Posts: 11018
Thu, Dec 20, 2012 @ 8:57 PM
LOL Amy! Thanks for the giggle! We moved from California to Alabama and they say "HAAAAAAAY" here a lot! Great design with all your tilted panels and wonderful distressing too! AWESOME card for Terry!!!
Registered: January 8, 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 40435
Fri, Dec 21, 2012 @ 5:23 PM
You did a great job with your 5 panels, this card looks perfectly masculine to me and I love your hay image & sentiment!! I must try using distress ink on dp sometime! Thank you also for your amusing story - I really find I struggle with inspiration making male cards (something I need to work on myself!!).
------------------------------ Sue
Fan Club Member QFTD143 FS420